ORCV Safety and Training

Is there an Update/Revalidation SSSC?

Short Answer: No.

Long Answer: There is good reason that the ORCV does not offer the update/revalidation course anymore and it is not about being difficult. Times have changed and the requirements placed on all of us have also changed - and continue to do so! Part of the ORCV's core ethos is to ensure knowledge transfer and thereby make the sport as safe as possible.

ORCV Rear Commodore and Chairman of the Training Committee, Neville 'Nifty' Rose, explains things very clearly for us. "All ORCV training activities specifically relate to ocean sailing and racing. This is especially so where there may be barriers to entering this domain. The ORCV recognises the need to make both training courses and sailing in general, more accessible. It is also of utmost importance to ensure adequate safety training is being provided."

"Yachting Australia (YA) held a forum in September 2010 to discuss the format and content of a revised one day YA/ISAF Update/Revalidation Safety and Sea Survival Course (SSSC). The option to attend the forum (or provide submissions) was extended to all SSSC Instructors across the country, all organisers of Category One and Two races in Australia and a number of regular/professional racing yachtsmen. We, the ORCV, conducted a review of the format and content of a revised one day YA/ISAF Update/Revalidation SSSC and formed the view that the Update/Revalidation SSSC was no longer appropriate. As a leading authority on ocean sailing, racing and training in Australia, a Yachting Australia Training Centre (YATC) with five YA accredited SSSC Instructors and the Organising Authority of Category Zero, One and Two ocean races, the ORCV provided a submission to the YA forum detailing our view."

Neville went on to explain that the ORCV was not the only one that held this view. "At the YA forum, 'It was felt by most course providers that it would be too hard to run a one day revalidation course that covered all of the topics required." You can read more detail about the YA findings HERE.

"So, after careful consideration, the ORCV Training Committee resolved to cease offering training for the one day YA Update/Revalidation SSSC", Nifty finished with. When you look at it, the up shot is that you are still only coming to class twice and you will learn new things that you can deploy over the next five years. A lot of shore crew have found it interesting and valuable to do the course as well and it would seem it gives both them and the sailors they're following, as they go about their adventures, real peace of mind.

Now the next course is on at the end of May and you can find the links to enrollment and other important elements at the bottom of this article. There are a lot of sailors coming up to the end of their certificate, so it is advisable to get in to a course before the end of year rush!!!

Two of the ORCV's five YA Qualified SSSC Instructors, Neville Rose and Noel May conduct a class at MHS.

The details of the next course are as follows:

• Held all day of both Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, 2011 at the South Yarra Sports Centre (Melbourne High School) from 0815 to 1715hrs.
• MUST get a completed and paid for enrollment to the office by May 15!!!!!!!!

N.B. We ask that you please read and comprehend the course outline and then complete the enrollment form,

which is linked off the bottom of the said course outline. Go HERE to start that process.

Go HERE to go directly to the online form to secure your place. (Yes!!! New online facility being tested for this course. Cool huh?!) Please remember to complete all of your details or upgrade your YA information in the database, so that this information comes through on your application.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

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